Marriage and Divorce

Mark 10:2-12 (NASB)
2 Some Pharisees came up to Jesus, testing Him, and began to question Him whether it was lawful for a man to divorce a wife. 3 And He answered and said to them, "What did Moses command you?" 4 They said, "Moses permitted a man TO WRITE A CERTIFICATE OF DIVORCE AND SEND her AWAY." 5 But Jesus said to them, "Because of your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment. 6 "But from the beginning of creation, God MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE. 7" FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER, 8 AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH; so they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9 "What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate." 10 In the house the disciples began questioning Him about this again. 11 And He said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her; 12 and if she herself divorces her husband and marries another man, she is committing adultery."


In these verses the Pharisees asked Jesus a question; was it lawful for a man to divorce his wife. Interestingly the Pharisees only presented the case from the man’s side. Instead of answering yes or no, Jesus told them God’s original intent for marriage. Man and woman were to marry and remain as one, period. Jesus added no one should try to separate those who are married when God was the one who joined them together. This includes family, parents, brothers, sisters, cousins, best friends or those who sinfully engage with another who is married. He also added leaving to marry another was adultery no matter if it was the wife or husband who left to marry another. Because God understands man’s weakness for sin, God allowed divorce in the Law of Moses. For God knew man’s heart would eventually grow hard, cold and bitter towards the other bringing about even more sin.


The CDC keeps statistics on marriage and divorce in the United States. For 2008 the number of marriages was 2,162,000. The marriage rate was 7.1 in 1000 and the divorce rate was 3.5 in 1000. In other words almost 49+% of marriages ended in divorce across the United State. 1,065,775 of the 2,162,000 marriages are projected to fail. Marriage should be taken seriously. It is a commitment based upon actions and not feelings. Jesus and Paul both said it is best for some not to marry. It is best to remain single than fall into a wrong relationship. However, God in His Love, Mercy and Grace knows the sins of man. God knows there will be those who do not listen to His word and turn to divorce. God knows man is not capable of forgiveness and love to the degree God Himself can extend. So God understands when divorce takes place, but divorce is never what God intended for any couple. God’s words are strong in book of Malichi where he says, “For I hate divorce.” Carefully consider your relationships for marriage and if you are marriage carefully consider how God can help resolve issues in your marriage.